Malaysia’s Muhyiddin not keen on snap election, wants Dr Mahathir to endorse Perikatan

KUALA LUMPUR — Newly appointed Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is not keen on a snap election and is hopeful that his predecessor Mahathir Mohamad will endorse the new government. 

“We have formed the government and I want him to endorse it. That’s better for the people,” said Mr Muhyiddin in his first press conference as prime minister at Putrajaya on Wednesday (March 11).

“It’s legal and it’s constitutional and it’s good for the people. They are hoping that this government will deliver and we have promised it will deliver. 

If we have snap elections — and I don’t want that — the people will only curse as this is not the right time. We are here to serve. 

“I hope everyone will give us the encouragement, including Tun (Dr Mahathir),” said the Bersatu president and acting chairman.

He was replying to a question on whether he had reconciled with Dr Mahathir after replacing the 94-year-old as the party’s chairman two weeks ago.

Mr Muhyiddin became Malaysia’s eight prime minister after he was endorsed by Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, PAS and several independent parties from Sabah, although Dr Mahathir similarly claimed that he had the support of Pakatan Harapan and Parti Warisan Sabah.

Dr Mahathir, however, was not able to meet the Malaysian King and Mr Muhyiddin was subsequently appointed instead.

“I have written a letter (to him) and wished him good health. In the second paragraph, I said that I apologise if I had hurt his feelings with what I had done in the past two weeks.

“In the third paragraph, I asked for a meeting with him. 

“But he said that it was not the right time to meet. But I’m ready to meet anytime, any place, for the sake of the country,” said Mr Muhyiddin. 

When pressed on whether there would be fresh elections, Mr Muhyiddin said: “This is our first day in office. Give us a chance. Of course, it’s important and we know what we need to do to ensure we don’t just last till the next year.

“Hopefully, we will do that and the public will believe that this government can help them; then we will plan properly for the next elections.”

He said his government, called Perikatan Nasional, also has the majority support of MPs in parliament. 

“Of course, (I have the majority) or else I won’t be here.” THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT